Heroes Lost and Fallen
From Wind Repertory Project
Contents |
General Info
Year: 1989
Duration: c. 10:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Composer's Editions dist. by Hal Leonard, Inc
Cost: Score and Parts - $175.00 | Score - $0.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Piano
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crotales
- Cymbals (crash and suspended)
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (Tam-tam)
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Tom-toms (4)
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Heroes Lost and Fallen (A Vietnam Memorial) is a tone poem for symphonic band based on the following poem by the composer:
Banish our thoughts
From this grueling war.
Let Suffering and Death
Rule no more.
Resolve this conflict
In hearts so sullen
And bring eternal peace
To the heroes, lost and fallen.
The work opens with an air of mysteriousness on a sustained sonority by bowed vibraphone with marimba tremolo. There are interspersed motives suggesting trumpet calls and quotes from the Star Spangled Banner and the Vietnamese National Anthem. This beginning section reflects the uncertainty and instability before war. Following is a warm and consonant chorale in the low brass alluding to the world ideal of peace and serenity. This section segues into a sort of slow "march to war". Just as the realization of the inevitability of war increases, so does this section increase in dynamic and dissonant intensity. Climaxing the section are quotes from the Star Spangled Banner and Taps. The ensuing section expresses the war itself with driving rhythms, dense textures, chaotic accompanimental motives and sinister themes. Growing in intensity, the section culminates with haunting "trumpet calls" alternated between trumpets and horns followed by four hammered articulations of a tone cluster. A thunderous roll of drums then elides into the next section where the consonant choral of "peace" reasserts itself, this time amidst the continuing conflict of war, suggesting that somehow "Good" will triumph over "Evil". Both the chorale and the conflicting forces fade away and a short dirge-like section follows based on the opening motive of the chorale, signifying destruction, death and aftermath. But, the ever present force of "Good" emerges and a serene, yet powerful theme is stated, beginning in the horns. The theme grows to a glorious climax, diminishes and settles into C Major, the "key of the earth". A unison "C", with underlying tumultuous articulations by the drums, culminates the work.....the drums reminding us that the threat of war will always be present.
Program Note from the Printed Score
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
State Ratings
- Virginia: VI
Recent Performances
(To add performances, please join the WRP by contacting the webmaster)
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- Apocalyptic Dreams (1995)
- Be Thou My Vision (1999)
- Cantus Laetus (2000)
- Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble (1997)
- Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble (2006)
- Concerto for Piano, Percussion and Wind Orchestra (2004)
- Council Oak (2001)
- Echo Never Fades, The (2004)
- Galactic Empires (1998)
- Internal Combustion (1999)
- Light Unto the Darkness, A (1997)
- Quintessence I (1997)
- Quintessence II (2006)
- Serenade for Winds and Percussion (1990)
- Sub-Saharan Rhythm (1998)
- Waking Angels (1996)
- When Speaks the Signal-trumpet Tone (1999)
- With Heart and Voice (2000)
Additional Resources
